Round 16 of the QSL season saw five local players prove to be the difference makers. In our weekly feature stars of the league we look at the players who stepped up when it mattered. Interestingly this week our quartet had a hand in their side’s goals this week, and aided in their progress up the league.

Young Al Rayyan midfielder Abdulmajeed Enad gets his way onto the list with his superb goal in Al Rayyan’s comprehensive 4-0 win over Al Sailiya on Friday evening. The young defender perfectly controlled the incoming cross before tapping the ball over Gregory Gomis for an easy finish. Al Rayyan boss Michael Laudrup has turned to youth in recent weeks and Abdulmajeed has certainly benefitted from this in recent weeks.

Another week, another nod to Almoez Ali standing out for his Lekhwiya side, who defeated Al Sadd 2-1 in Friday’s top of the table match. The youngster seems to be thriving leading the line in the absence of top scorer Yusef El Arabi, and Ali had a crucial say in his sides opening goal. Chasing a forward ball, the Qatar youth international showed an impressive turn of pace to beat Sadd defender Morteza Pouraliganji and drive into the penalty area and pick out Nam Tae Hee who scored from close range.

Al Arabi’s captain Boualem Khoukhi capped off a fine individual performance with a trademark free-kick as his side edged out Al Kharaitiyat 2-1. It was the Qatar international’s third goal in four QSL games for the side which helped them relive their relegation fears. New Arabi coach Oswaldo Oliveria will be counting on the experienced Khoukhi when Al Arabi takes on Al Ahli in the derby next time out.

Al Shahania has improved under new boss Igor Štimac in recent weeks, grabbing two draws from their last two games. The goal scorer on both occasions was Fahad Khalfan who has found a new lease of life under the Croatian coach. Khalfan grabbed the opener in his sides 1-1 draw with Umm Salal and will be targeting another goal against an out of sorts Al Gharafa side next time out.

Al Ahli’s Janaury signing Ali Ferydoon had a say in both goals in five first half minutes as the Brigadiers registered a vital 2-0 win over relegation rivals Al Wakrah. The loan signing from Al Shahania was his side’s best attacking threat, causing the Wakrah defense plenty of problems throughout the game. The local star will be aiming to build on his first goals for his new club in the next round when Al Ahli have a tough away assignment at local rivals Al Arabi.